Ophthalmologists Encourage Making Your Eyes Part of a Healthy Aging Strategy According to a national survey released by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nearly two out of three American adults report having eye or vision problems. A significant percentage of them, however, fail to seek medical attention in the form of regular, sight-saving eye exams. In observance of Healthy Aging Month in September, the Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons, PC joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in emphasizing the importance of having regular eye exams to maintain healthy eyes and vision. Some of the more common age-related eye diseases include age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Early detection and treatment of these conditions can help to save sight before vision loss occurs [i]. Ophthalmologists â the physicians that specialize in medical and surgical eye care â recommend a dilated comprehensive eye exam as the best way to prevent these conditions from becoming debilitating. U.S. Adults Do Not Get Eye Exams as Often as Recommended The survey results emphasize a need for more education about the importance of medical eye exams. Findings showed that 64 percent of adults had at least one or more of the following issues with their eyes or vision: difficulty seeing at night blurry vision reading up close flashes of light red, watery eyes double vision Despite experiencing some level of impairment, only 13 percent admitted they had been seen by an ophthalmologist. How Often Do Adults Need Eye Exams? The Academy recommends that a healthy adult get a baseline eye exam at age 40, even if they have no history of eye problems or eye disease. Those who have chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, may require more frequent exams. Your vision is your most valuable asset so donât wait, call 480-994-1872 or click here to make an appointment! [i] https://nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/aging_eye SaveSave
Did You Know? Vision Problems are Common in Children with Hearing Loss
Did You Know?? Vision Problems are Common in Children with Hearing Loss About one-fifth of children who have a particular type of hearing loss also have visual disorders, according to a recent study. An estimated one to three children per 1,000 has some degree of sensorineural hearing loss, which occurs as a result of abnormalities in the inner ear or in the auditory center of the brain. Half of all cases in children result from environmental causes and half from genetic causes; one gene accounts for a large proportion of sensorineural hearing loss cases in Caucasian patients. Because children with hearing loss rely heavily on their other senses, undiscovered visual problems could have further harmful effects on their development. Eye examinations for all children with sensorineural hearing loss can lead to early diagnosis and to help minimize visual problems. If your child suffers from hearing loss call us today and make an appointment for an eye exam! This article reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart⢠campaign (www.geteyesmart.org).
Studies Show Women Face Higher Risk of Blindness Than Men
Women Face Higher Risk of Blindness Than Men American Academy of Ophthalmology urges women to make eye health a top priority  Studies show there is a gender gap in eye disease. Women are more likely than men to suffer from blindness and conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and glaucoma.1 In support of Healthy Vision Month, Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology remind women to make vision a top priority. Women make up 65 percent of AMD cases; 61 percent of glaucoma and cataract patients are women, and 66 percent of blind patients (blindness) are women.2 Why the inequity? There are a few theories. On average women live longer and many eye problems are age-related. Some eye conditions, such as dry eye, are more common in women, young and old. Social and economic factors affect womenâs access to eye care, especially in developing countries. Whatever the cause, there are a few unique vision problems women need to watch out for more than men. Dry eye occurs at double the rate in postmenopausal women.3 In general, women are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases than men, many of which affect vision, such as lupus, SjĂśgrenâs syndrome and hyperthyroiditis. Also, pregnancy can cause vision changes due to the hormones pregnant women experience. Good news is most vision loss is preventable. The Academy offers five simple steps to take control of your eye health today: Get a comprehensive medical eye exam at age 40. Early signs of disease or changes in vision may begin at this age. An exam by an ophthalmologist â a physician who specializes in medical and surgical eye care â is an opportunity to carefully examine the eye for diseases and conditions that may have no symptoms in the early stages. Know your family history. Certain eye diseases can be inherited. If you have a close relative with macular degeneration, you have a 50 percent chance of developing this condition. A family history of glaucoma increases your glaucoma risk by four to nine times. Talk to family members about their eye conditions. It can help you and your ophthalmologist evaluate your risk. Eat healthy foods. A diet low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, benefits the entire body, including the eyes. Eye-healthy food choices include citrus fruits, vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables and cold water fish. Stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk for eye diseases such as cataract and age-related macular degeneration. Smoking also raises the risk for cardiovascular diseases which can indirectly influence your eye health. Tobacco smoke, including second-hand smoke, also worsens dry eye. Wear sunglasses. Exposure to ultraviolet UV light raises the risk of eye diseases, including cataract, fleshy growths on the eye and cancer. Always wear sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection and a hat while enjoying time outdoors. âEye exams arenât only about checking a person’s visual acuity or sharpness, but also determining the overall health of their eyes,â said Rebecca J. Taylor, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. âWe encourage women as well as men to get regular eye care. By making vision a priority today, we can help protect our sight as we age.â To learn more ways to keep your eyes healthy, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmologyâs EyeSmartÂŽÂ website.  Have you had your eyes examind in the last few years? If not call and make your appointment Today, 480-994-1872 or make an appointment online, click here!  National Eye Institute National Eye Institute 3. Am J Ophthalmol. 2003 Aug;136
Wearing Eye Protection Prevents Players from Injury
April is Sports Eye Safety Awareness month. Â Sports-related eye injuries cause an estimated 100,000 doctor visits each year. Yet, most of these injuries can be prevented by wearing eye protection. In fact, a recent study of high school field hockey players shows that traumatic eye injuries fell 67 percent after eye protection became mandatory.[1]
Everyday UV-A Light and it’s impact on Cataracts
We spend so much time in our vehicles driving to and from work, running errands, or carting the kids all over town, but are we getting the protection we need from the sun? A Recent assessment on automobiles was conducted to assess the levels of ultraviolet light protection in windshields and driver side windows. This study was done after recent findings that associated Ultraviolet-A light (UV-A) with an increased risk for skin cancer and cataracts.
Vision Problems are Common in Children with Hearing Loss
Vision Problems are Common in Children with Hearing Loss Did you know? About one-fifth of children who have a particular type of hearing loss also have visual disorders, according to a recent study. An estimated one to three children out of 1,000 has some degree of sensorineural hearing loss, which occurs as a result of abnormalities in the inner ear or in the auditory center of the brain. Half of all cases in children result from environmental causes and half from genetic causes; one gene accounts for a large proportion of sensorineural hearing loss cases in Caucasian patients. Because children with hearing loss rely heavily on their other senses, undiscovered visual problems could have further harmful effects on their development and untreated visual problems can become worse. Since there is a correlation between hearing loss and vision loss in children frequent eye exams are extremely important. Eye examinations for all children with sensorineural hearing loss can lead to early diagnosis and to help minimize visual problems and significantly help children with hearing loss. If your child has been diagnosed with hearing loss make an appoint now to get your child’s eye’s examined! Call our office at 480-994-1872 to make an appointment today or make an appointment online! This article reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart⢠campaign (www.geteyesmart.org).
Medical Myth: Will My Child Outgrow Crossed Eyes?
MYTH: âChildren outgrow crossed or misaligned eyesâ One question eye doctors hear from time to time is “will my child outgrow crossed eyes?” Crossed eyes or Strabismus is a condition that affects the muscles in the eyes and prevents them from looking at the same place at the same time.  With this condition one eye will focus in on the object you are viewing while the other eye is misaligned looking either upward, downward or inward.  Strabismus can affect just one eye or can be intermittent between both eyes. This condition can be present at birth or can develop in childhood.  Children with a family history of strabismus may be at a higher risk.  Most children are diagnosed between the ages of 1 and 4 years old. Here is a great chart From All About Vision that shows the symptoms of misaligned eyes. False. Children do not outgrow crossed eyes.  A child whose eyes are misaligned may develop poor vision.  The straight or straighter of the two eyes becomes dominant and the brain can “turn off” or ignore images from the weaker eye and a lazy eye may develop.  If left untreated the unused or misaligned eye will not develop good vision and can affect the development of depth perception. Children with symptoms of misaligned eyes should be examined and treated as soon as possible by an eye doctor.  less invasive treatment for crossed eyes can include eye glasses if the child has farsightedness, an eye patch can be worn over the good eye to help strengthen the muscles in the weaker of the two eyes, or eye drops to blur the vision in the stronger eye to encourage muscled development in the weaker eye.  If those treatments do not work to correct the misaligned eye surgery can be performed to repair the muscles in the weaker eye. If your child is presenting symptoms of misaligned eyes call our office at 480-994-1872 to make an appointment today or make an appointment online! This article reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart Campaign (www.geteyesmart.org).
Caregiver Teen Receives The Gift of Sight!
Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons along with The Aid Foundation and Channel 3’s Surprise Squad had the privilege of helping a deserving valley teen! Melanie is a straight A teen and instead of doing what most kids her age do in their free time, she spends it taking care of her disabled mother.  Melanie and her mother did not have the resources available for her to be seen by an eye doctor or pay for the eyeglasses she so desperately needed. When The Aid Foundation and AZ Family’s Surprise Squad reached out to us here at Scottsdale Eye Physicians informing us of the need of this young teen had we jumped at the opportunity to help.  Melanie came into our office and was able to get an eye exam and a pair of prescription glasses for free! All of us here at Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons were so honored to be apart of this amazing surprise helping this young teen with the gift of sight! Watch the full video from AZ Family’s Surprise Squad here! To find out more about the Aid Foundation and what they do to help those that are less fortunate around the valley head over to their website Aid.org!
Could Bananas Prevent Blindness?
New research conducted to find out if Bananas prevent blindness The big question researchers having been asking is can bananas prevent blindness? Carotenoids, pigments found in Bananas have now been shown to help prevent blindness and are an important vitamin in the foundation of eye health!  A study recently published in ACSâ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, outlines a more in depth knowledge of how bananas create and store Carotenoids. The study focused on two types of bananas the pale yellow Cavendish banana as well as the orange Asupina banana. They found that the Cavendish or yellow banana, what we typically find in our grocery stores today, produce low levels of Carotenoids but high levels of an enzyme needed to break it down. The orange Asupina banana, not as popular and well known, produces larger quantities of Carotenoids and stockpiles it in small sacs during the ripening process. Researchers say these findings will provide the information needed to develop and breed bananas that contain more carotenoids and in turn can be a super food for our eyes!  Adding foods that protect your vision to your diet is always recommended, for more foods that protect your vision check out this post and also read about this new study that shows blueberries now protect against Dry Eye Syndrome! As always Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons is here to provide our patients with the vision and comfort they desire!  Call our office at 480-994-1872 to make an appointment with one of our Eye Doctors! Sources: MDLinks, Medical News and Information www.mdlinx.com
Study finds blueberries may protect against dry eye disease!
A study was recently released at The 2016 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) revealed that an anti-oxidant, Pterostilbene, found in blueberries has been found to protect against dry eye disease.